“Naturally, things will have to change around here,” he says, his tone somber and reminiscent of one my English literature lecturer used to favor when he was laying down the law. “It will be an adjustment for everyone, but the most important thing now, in fact, theonlything that matters, is ensuring my mate’s happiness and comfort. Nothing else, no task or job,compares. I don’t mind if meals are late or if the windows aren’t sparkling. The only thing I care about is that my little mouse has everything, and I really do meaneverything, he could ever want. I will need everyone to be vigilant and…”
“Absolutely, my lord,” says Mrs. Thompson. There’s a slight rasp in her voice that makes me think the effort not to laugh at Alfie’s ridiculousness is costing her. “Consider it done.”
“Of course, my lord,” says Sid, echoing Mrs. Thompson. “And, will the, erm, Lord Mouse be taking his breakfast in the dining room this morning, my lord, or shall I have a tray made up and taken to your room?”
That does it. Lord Mouse? I think not.
I emerge from my hiding spot, peering my head out from around the corner. “Jensen will be fine. Thank you, Sid.”
It’s the first time we’ve been around other people since we mated, and it appears Alfie is struggling with the transition. When he sees me, he rushes over to me, tucking me under his arm and turning his chest toward mine as if to shield me from some invisible danger. A low, rumbling growl reverberates from his chest as he glares at Mrs. Thompson and Sid for absolutely no reason.
“I apologize,” he says when he gets himself under control. “This is no reflection on you, I assure you. I’m a little protective of my mate, that’s all.”
“It’s to be expected, my lord,” says Sid, shooting a concerned glance at Mrs. Thompson.
“Sid’s right. It’s to be expected. I have no doubt things will settle in a few weeks,” Mrs. Thompson says doubtfully.
Alfie stretches out in bed next to me, tucking a blanket over both of us. “Well, that wasn’t too bad, was it?” he says.
“No,” I agree, “being around others all day wasn’t that bad at all.”
The bond sparks white from both sides, and we fall into each other’s arms laughing.
Alfie’s face scrunches as though he’s bitten into a lemon. “Fuck, it was horrible. There were times I didn’t think I’d make it.”
“It was awful.” It really was the living worst. Knowing that people who aren’t us were in the house was terribly distracting. We’ve been on our best behavior all day. Considerate and keenly aware of social norms. We kept our clothes on the entire time… Except for when the short walk to the stables took a detour and saw us devolving into something rather animalistic in the maze…but that couldn’t be helped. “Just awful.”
“Do you know what I think?” Alfie asks, taking my hand in his and kissing each of my knuckles. “I think we should plan a trip. A honeymoon. Just you and me and the most romantic, remote places in the world. What do you think?”
I turn my face and nuzzle it into his neck, sighing softly. “Oh, that sounds heavenly.”
“We could end our trip in Seattle if you like. You could introduce me to your family and friends, or we could arrange for them to visit here. Whatever you’d prefer.”
I can’t wait to introduce my mate to my family. Especially since Branson and Lucien spent the weekend at my parents’ house, smoothing things over. They’ve assured me that they’ve successfully talked my mom down from her outrage that two of her sons mated their partners without even hinting that a mating was in the cards beforehand.
Alfie is so grateful to Branson and Lucien for their efforts on his behalf that he has vowed to stop referring to them as “mybeastly brother and my beastly ex.” I’m a little upset about that because I do love the way he looks when he saysbeastly—all English and noble as hell. But I suppose I can’t complain.
“If we do go to Seattle, we can escape to Branson’s cabin for a few days if peopling gets too much for us,” I say. “It’s only a few hours from the city, but once you get there, it’s nothing but mountains and forests and no human beings at all. It’s so lovely up there. I love it, Alfie. I’d love to spend time there with you.”
He pushes himself up on his elbow and looks down at me intently. “You like cabins in the woods, little mouse?”
“Mm, yes, I love them.”
His eyes widen in an expression I haven’t seen on him before. One that’s strangely determined. “In that case, I’ll buy you one.”
“What do you mean you’ll buy me one?” I ask incredulously. “One what?
“What do I mean?” he parrots as though I’ve taken leave of my senses. “Little mouse, we haven’t discussed your mating gift yet, so if you like cabins, I’ll buy one for you immediately.”
It’s my turn to react as though he’s taken leave of his senses. “You can’t just buy me a cabin, Alfie. That’s way too mu—”
“Just a cabin? I wouldn’t dream of it. I’ll buy youseveralcabins. I’ll… I’ll buy you an apartment in Paris as well, and a little place in London so we have somewhere to stay in case you want to go to another masked ball or something like that.”
I throw my head back and laugh heartily at how ridiculous he’s being, but I stop quickly when I realize he’s serious. “Absolutely not,” I say firmly. “I don’t need cabins or apartments. That’s excessive.”
“Okay.” He bobs his head thoughtfully, looking mystified but still worryingly dogged. “We’ll circle back to properties as a gift at a later stage. Perhaps we can revisit the idea for your birthday or our first anniversary? Will that set you at ease, baby?” I’m about to respond in the negative when he continues,“In the meantime, what about jewelry? I could have something spectacular made for y—” I shake my head vehemently, cutting him off. “No? How about a few cars then?”
“Absolutely not.”
